Books
I am an author of non-fiction astronomy books for non-specialist readers, publishing with HarperCollins (UK)/Collins Astronomy and Hachette/Philip's.
Overviews and links to my books are provided below.
Space Hazards:
Asteroids, Solar Flares & Cosmic Threats
Ryan French | Collins Astronomy / HarperCollins UK | 2025 | 240 pages | ISBN: 978-0008688172
"Highly recommended for anyone interested in space and the dangers that lurk there."
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Earth is not isolated in space but surrounded by a diverse array of potentially hazardous phenomena within our solar system and beyond. Space Hazards delves into the science behind multiple space hazards, examining their probabilities and potential impacts on our planet. Topics covered include asteroids and near-Earth objects, space weather, and the growing challenge of space debris.
'The woman struck by a meteorite': a true story told in Space Hazards.
"Some facts and probabilities about actual threats to Earth in the age of the cosmically ill-informed."
Forbes
"...an engaging and trustworthy guide to our place in a constantly shifting cosmos ... a clear and reassuring guide to the real cosmic risks that matter and the ones that do not."
Astrobites
The Sun: beginner’s guide to our local star
Ryan French | Collins Astronomy / HarperCollins UK | 2023 | 112 pages | ISBN: 978-0008580230
Despite its seemingly-unchanging appearence in the daytime sky, the Sun is incredibly dynamic, continuously changing over timescales from seconds to centuries.
The Sun: beginner’s guide to our local star, explores the history, science and safe observation of our nearest star.
“There is an army of solar observers, both professional and amateur, who study the Sun and if you’d like to join their ranks then Ryan French’s The Sun is a good place to start.”
Astronomy Now
"You will be left looking at the Sun in a whole new light" ★★★★★
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
"It’s an excellent, light, and portable reference for anyone interested in learning more about the Sun, even if you’ve never thought about our nearest star." "If you’re planning for an eclipse, this is a great book to have in your toolkit to make the most of that cosmic experience."
Astrobites
Stumbling across my book in an independent bookshop in Tasmania
Cover for the Chinese translation of The Sun.
Little Book of Eclipses:
An essential companion to solar and lunar events
Tom Kerss & Ryan French | Philip's / Hachette UK | 2026 | 160 pages | ISBN: 978-1849077545
Across the centuries, and across the world, solar and lunar eclipses have captured the human imagination. Weaving together their long history and mythology with the very latest scientific techniques and discoveries, Little Book of Eclipses is a global guide to their locations and significance over the coming decades.
Coming soon in June 2026.
